Kathrine: The next chapter is ready!

JC: Lots of angst in this one, but little Legolas.

Kathrine: We pretty much tried to see how Legolas' condition was affecting everyone else.

JC: No lemon this chapter. We thought this was a better pace to cut it off.

Kathrine: We hope that you enjoy this chapter as much as you have the ones before it.

JC: There's a little more information in this if you're wondering why the twins are together.

Kathrine: Oh, and SatanicRebel666...You can't scare us with the Sick Big Sister!

JC: We have FIVE of them!! We're immune!

Kathrine: Okay…to the angst!

Disclaimer: All because we beat on the characters and make them cry does not mean that we own them.

Warnings: ANGST, Slash, Sick Legolas, Depressed everyone else, Little humor at the end (How did we get that in?)

Weight of the Burden

By Jennifer and JC

Chapter 5

" I do not know what to do," Aragorn stated in despair. " I have never faced a case of the Elven sickness, let alone one so severe. His body is so weak and chilled."

" For his spirit seeks to leave for the Halls of Mandos," Glorfindel told him. " It was much like this with Lady Celebrian. Her soul wished to leave so badly that she sought to go to Valinor as her last hope for life. May it be not such a case for our young Prince."

Aragorn ran a hand through the pristine yet now dull blonde locks on his friend's head. Legolas' sons sat together on a wooden bench against the wall on the other side of the private healing room. Their eyes were filled with fear and as much hope as they could muster. The two were so close to their father, depended on him for guidance, strength, love, and friendship. He could only wonder what would become of them should the blonde not survive.

No, he refused to think pessimistically. He will survive. I will do all I can to make sure he lives, even if I must give up my own soul to restore his. It is not yet his time! To think he had been so worried about his friend's happiness and yet had not foreseen it become this damaging. How could he have been so blind? Elladan and Elrohir stood outside the door waiting in the hall with Arwen, having come with Andúnel when he carried his father to the healing wing. Whatever had caused Legolas to finally lose his grip on life had to do with them, that he knew.

" What can we do for him?" he asked Glorfindel, knowing that he was the best to ask for assistance at this time. It was the Balrog Slayer who had helped Elrond as much as he could to restore the broken spirit of Celebrian, and also had faced the coldness of Mandos before, knew the pull of its halls. But this was a different form of grief, for a different reason. He prayed it would not lead to the same result.

" He fights," the golden-haired Lord whispered as he felt the battle within the blonde's fëar on whether or not he wishes to return. " He knows he has much to live for, but the pain of a broken heart…it can takes the reason from many. And he has fought it for so long…I worry that his spirit may not be strong enough on its own to resist."

" But…what if he does not wish to return?" Amúntel asked, his voice small, yet hard at the same time. He still had not let go of the anger he felt towards the two outside…the two his father called his other sires. They had known of the twin sons of Elrond being lovers, for most all Elves knew it, but it was not something announced to Men due to their restrictions and prejudices. It would be hard to explain the deep bond that drove them to physical intimacy. He did not understand how both could be his sire and that of his brother, but if it was said by the great Lord Elrond, he knew better than to question it…even if at that moment he wish neither could hold that claim.

" Do not say such things!" Andúnel admonished him for his statement. " Of course he would wish to return!"

" Not if he knows all that waits for him is judgment and persecution by the two who hold his heart in their cold, stone hands," the younger twin snorted. " All this time he has loved them, all this time he has thought not of himself but of them and us…and look what they have done."

" Both of them?" Glorfindel and Aragorn were shocked, but not by much. The twin's were lovers, two halves of the same soul using physical intimacy to strengthen their spiritual bond, as only the giving of the body and sprit as one could. It would be easy to fall in love with both, rather than just one. It would actually seem odd to care for merely one of them instead of the two. It seemed even worse to believe that one would go against the other to sleep with anyone, even Legolas. They had always done everything together.

Andúnel stood and stepped to his father's bedside. " They blame him for it all," he stated sadly. " They hate him for not telling them about us, but it seems as if it would have been much easier had we never asked him of our parentage. We have lived so long without knowing, why did we have to ask it of him now? Even with knowing, it means nothing to us, less than it did before. They will not forgive him for this, that I can tell."

" He does not need their forgiveness," Amúntel growled. " It is they who should beg of it from him."

" I warn you now," Aragorn understood the Edhel's anger, but would not put up with it. " Your negative emotions will only make this worse. Control them, Amúntel Legolasion, or leave. I will not lose him because he feels that he has gained your hate as well. And while you think that they have done him wrong…you know your father enough that he will take all fault onto himself. He himself needs their forgiveness, even if only to soothe his spirit and not in truth."

" Then my father will pass," he stated, tears coming to his eyes. " They feel they have been lied to and betrayed. They will not forgive."

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" He should not have lied to us," Elladan remained ever stubborn, even in the face of his sister's anger and disapproval. " He kept us from our children, they are now grown and we have missed the most important times of their lives. He betrayed us."

" From what you said, it was he who asked for a child, even if not in that exact way," she pointed out. " Does it not show his love for you that he would bear your children? Legolas would never intentionally hurt either of you in anyway."

Elrohir leaned against the wall, his arms crossed and his head slightly bowed, his emotions in turmoil. " But he has, Arwen," he stated. " They are our sons, our flesh and blood. And he even swore our own father to keep them a secret from us."

" Because he thought he was doing the right thing," she countered. " You two have ever been wandering souls, free do go where you wish and do as you please. Legolas has told me many a time how he envied and loved your freedom and open ways. Why would he wish to tie you down? To have children, you would have had to forsake your travels and take on the roles of parents. Could you have done that for them? Or would you have resented him for doing such a thing to you?"

" Why are you on his side?" Elladan demanded. " They are your nephews, he had hid them from you as well."

" I have watched those boys grow since they were young babes still unable to talk and walk," she pointed out. " They always visited us here with Legolas, and I would in turn visit them in Eryn Gael."

Elladan frowned, " You defend him as if we are the ones at fault in this."

" In a way you are," she stated. " You are all three to blame."

" What?" Elrohir did not understand her reasoning. " We have done nothing. We only found out today."

" And yet you have gone centuries without admitting to him how you feel about him," she glared at him. " As he kept his love a secret…so did both of you."

Both ellyn's eyes widened as they tried to think of what they could say. But as it turned out, their sister was not yet done. " I have known you care for him, more than in the ways of a friend, for three centuries. How is it that you can spend a night together in passion and yet none of you could speak the truth?"

" He only sought comfort that night," Elladan explained. " We gave him that as we would for any comrade we cared such for."

" No, he also sought your love," she sighed. " And instead you put upon the guise of friendship, leaving him to believe that that was all there could ever be. You both are reluctant to bring another into your bed, why go so far for Legolas? And so you have avoided him for the same reason he has avoided you for the more than one hundred years. Had you three opened to each other, we would not be here on baited breath for whether he shall yet live or give into his long-broken heart."

" He shall not fade," Elrohir stated, his words strict, though one could tell it merely hope within them. " He has too much to live for. His…Our sons need him."

" He will fade!" she all but shouted, her eyes burning an icy fire. " While you remain out here, stirring in your feelings of betrayal, he is forsaking his life, whether it be out of lack of your love or in praying for your forgiveness. Should he leave, I know not what shall happen within this family and between our people. Eryn Gael will sunder from Gondor and all Edhil save Eryn Lasgalen for the loss of their Lord. Aragorn will never forgive you. Your sons will either follow him to Mandos or despise your for as long as their souls last in existence."

The twins were silent, their minds racing. " What of you, gwathel?" Elladan asked her. " What…What would you do if such a situation that you speak so bleakly of did occur? Would you disown us and have naught to do with us as well?"

Her blue eyes were saddened, trained to the door of the room they stood outside of. " No," she said. " I would not disown you, nor denounce you, for you are my brothers, MY flesh and blood. But I must follow the will of my husband and king…and I know he would seek your hearts on the steel of Andúril should Legolas pass from this world. That does not even take into account what shall be done to you should Thranduil or Gi-"

" You cannot go in there!" the voice of one of the healers broke into the hall. He was trying to force someone back out through the door on the other side of the corridor. " The King stated specifically that no one is to disturbed them!"

A gruff and angry voice let out a loud tirade. " I do not care what that blasted Ranger-turned-king says! I will go where I please and you'll feel my axe against your head if you keep trying to stop me!"

" Gimli," Arwen knew exactly who it was. " 'Tis all right Fanmos, let his pass."

The healer turned towards the Queen and immediately bowed. " Of course, your highness." He was then shoved roughly against the wall as the short and stout form of the Lord of the Glittering Caves barged into the hall. It was obvious by the look in his hazel eyes that he was not very happy, and nearing down right outraged.

" Now what is going on in this mad city?!" he demanded. " I come here for a small time before heading off to Ithilien only to find that the very person I was off to see if HERE but no one will let me see him! What has that crazy Elf done now?! And I swear if I don't get the truth, someone will feel my axe!"

Arwen almost thought it funny how stiff her brothers had become with the presence of the Dwarf. The two great warrior sons of Elrond, comrades of the Dunédain, were very 'cautious' now at the sight one Dwarf. But ever had the Dwarf gone through with his threats had he meant them, and it was quite obvious the he did mean harm to someone if he did not get the truth about his dear friend.

" 'Tis good of you to come at this time when you might be needed most," she greeted him. " 'Tis also sad that you come at such a time when it might not be enough."

Gimli's ire calmed, his eyes filling with concern. " What has happened?" he asked. " What has that Elf gotten into now?" Arwen was not exactly sure how to tell Gimli and how much she should tell him. It was not her place to explain. The door to the room opened and Legolas' sons stepped out, both giving weak smiles the Dwarf's way as they tried to hide their reddened eyes.

" We believed that to be your bellowing, Uncle Gimli," Amúntel greeted him. Neither twin even spared a glance toward Elladan or Elrohir.

" Mayhap you can tell me has happened, lads?" Gimli knew that he just HAD to know what had transpired. " What has your fool of a father gotten himself into? Is he all right? Why do you look as if something grave has befallen him?"

" He…" Andúnel started, but his voice faded off.

" He would be fine," Amúntel answered instead. " But the only foolish thing he did was give his heart to those not worthy of it."

" What? What are you talking about?" He still didn't understand.

" Come, son of Gloín," Arwen placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. " Let us go into another room to where I can explain some of what has happened to you. But Legolas shall explain it all later, for only he can do so. I will advise you to remain calm, for that is what Legolas needs at this time, not rashness." The Dwarf didn't know what to say, but was sure that the Queen's words were not merely a request. He gave a nod, allowing her to lead him back down the hall he had just come from and out the door into the main healing chambers. The door shut behind them, leaving both pairs of Twins alone.

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The tension between the four ellyn was like the weight of the Outer Gate of Gondor pressing upon them. The sons refused to look upon the sires, while said sires knew not what to say, knowing nothing could actually be said to alleviate any of the stress within their once blooming relationship. Elrohir almost wished that none of this had come to light, for while they would not know that they were the fathers of two wonderful young Elves, they would instead have them as a part of their lives. That now seemed nigh impossible.

" Why did you not let him explain?" Andúnel suddenly asked, turning his still teary eyes upon those identical to them. " Why could you not have listened?"

" How is it that you cannot be upset, knowing that he has hid this from you all your lives?" Elladan countered.

" Because he hasn't hid this from us," he replied. " Do you think we have not asked before? It was always the same answer, 'Let it go, it is best that you do not know, for what we shared was but one moment in time that I will forever cherish, though I do not believe the same for him.' He told us how he had never been with another male. He cared for our father, he always reminded us of that. He would not have us believe that we came about from a one-night tryst with someone he cared nothing for. We never even thought that there might be two of you."

" But he told us nothing," Elrohir stated. " We have not seen him in over a century, only to have him avoid us, and then find out that he has bore us sons…twins. We made a pact to never keep secrets from one another and he had broken that in the worse possible ways."

" But you wouldn't let him tell you why!" Amúntel pointed out. " Our father has always been honest with us about everything, save who you were. He believed that telling us would do more harm than good, for everyone involved. 'The twilight nightingale should never be caged, even by its own family, for it will wilt in captivity.' I see now that he was right to lock it away."

Elladan shook his head, his thoughts running rampant, causing the throb of a headache. " So you say he sought to protect us?" he questioned. " He thought it best that we never knew you? That we be left to roam instead of watching our children age?"

" He never ordered you away from Eryn Gael," Andúnel stated. " He never turned you away. What kept you from coming there? While we never journeyed to Imladris, you never came to our home either. I would think that peculiar when you were 'supposedly' such close friends." The words were somewhat spiteful, the elder auburn-haired Edhel knew, but it was a point. Why had they never come to see THEM, instead of merely expecting the other way around?

" W-we spent much of our time between running Rivendell and hunting Orcs," Elladan explained. " Time passes so differently to us. We thought not much of the years apart, though we knew them to be lengthy."

" But could you tell us you would not resent him for having your children?" Amúntel asked them. " You have one another, why want another to intrude into your close bond? Why would he wish to live life knowing he was merely an extra horseshoe you kept around until you wanted a replacement?"

The hand flew out and caught in the side of the face before he even thought to stop it. It was heavy, but not so much that it would cause him to lose his footing. " Never," Elrohir hissed as he drew his near fist back. " Never have we thought of Legolas as such, even when we were grown and he but a young curious Elfling. He will always mean more to us than that…always."

Andúnel was angry, beyond realization, but what he saw before him kept him from lashing out. There were tears filling the eyes of both older Edhil. Elrohir stepped back away from his brother and looked ready to collapse. He could almost feel the pain they were in, there was more to their anger than merely the betrayal. It was what he saw in their eyes, what he always saw within his father's eyes when the fatigue would overcome him and in the sadness that never left his blue orbs.

/ But it can't be true. / He told himself.

/ What is wrong? / Amúntel asked him in his mind.

/ They have lied to each other, all this time. / He replied. / All these years, all three of them have lived a lie and now each are paying for it, our father more than the other two. /

/ What do you mean? / His younger brother asked him. / Andu, what are you talking about? /

" Tell him," Andúnel spoke out loud, his eyes on the other two. " Go in there now and tell him how you feel."

" What?" both Peredhil stared at him.

" Tell him the truth," Andúnel stated. " Tell Adar the truth. Even if it comes to nothing between you, tell him the truth. Do not let him fade because of your cowardice, if not for you then for us…for him. Do not let him die over a lie."

" You…" Elladan didn't know what to say. But the words hit him like an arrow to the heart. Can we fix this? Can we change his fate? Do we truly care as much for him as they believe? Can we watch him die, knowing that we can stop it? Can we truly let him die knowing what he feels for us…what we feel for him?

" Elladan…" Elrohir started, his eyes gazing to the closed door that was only a few feet away. It was obvious his brother thought the same.

" Yes," he agreed. " We should have let all of this out so long ago. Perhaps then none of us would be paying as we are now." Their sons watched them walked pass as they opened the door and entered, hoping to change the fate they had helped to create for them all.

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Aragorn turned when the door reopened, believing it to be the Andúnel and Amúntel, or even Gimli who they had all heard outside. The two sons of Legolas had gone to calm their raging sworn-uncle lest his anger might accidentally do more harm to their father's spiritual state. But the two he saw enter the room were not the twins he expected.

" How is he?" Elrohir asked, his eyes landing on the pale and withering form of the golden prince.

" Fading, quickly," Glorfindel told them, not worrying about his honesty. " His spirit is afraid to return and yet is not even strong enough to make the journey." He wouldn't speak so bluntly before the children of the Lord of Eryn Gael, knowing neither could take such information after all else that had transpired since that morning. It was now late into the night and the Balrog Slayer feared that Legolas would not greet the coming morn.

" I know not all that has transpired," Aragorn stated, his eyes staying on those of his two brothers, those who had helped raised him from birth, " but I know that this has gone on long enough."

" Yes, it has," the two spoke in unison. " And now it is time to end it."

Aragorn was confused by their words. " What are you going to do?" he asked them. " I cannot allow you to do anything that might make this worse. Too much has been done all ready."

" We do not seek to harm him, Estel," Elladan tried to reassure him. " And yet, we know what must be done."

" You must leave the room," Elrohir told both him and Glorfindel. " He would not like you to witness this."

Glorfindel stood from his seat at Legolas' side and looked at them, searching their eyes as he had always been able to do. He saw in them something that had been hidden deeply from him, but he had always known it was there. For more millennia than he thought to recall at that moment, he had watched over the family of Elrond, those favored by the Vala, Ulmo, and protected them as had been his duty since his revival from the Halls of Waiting. It was only due to the lord's children that he stayed here, keeping watch over them until Arwen's time came and the twins passed over the sea, for it was only then that he himself could go. He had helped raise the three children, especially the two before him, and knew how to read into them as well as their own sire and mother.

And now he saw the truth within the twins' eyes that they had tried so hard to keep away from everyone, themselves most of all. He knew what they were going to do. " Come, Aragorn," he turned to the dark-haired King. " Believe me when I say they seek to do him no harm."

Aragorn knew his brothers were honest by their dual countenance, but did not know if simply leave Legolas in their care. His friend was bound to the physical world of Arda by a bond as weak as a mere sewing thread, and he did not wish to let his friend go without a fight. Would they actually do any good, or would they bring about the golden-haired Edhel's complete destruction as they had seemed to do the most damage already?

" Ever have you been my brothers," he sighed, his fatigue easy to see. " You have helped to raise me and care for me as one of your own, even though my link to you be so nil and myself of the Second Born. But Legolas is the truest friend I have ever sought to have, standing beside me through everything we have faced since the day he met me and protecting me even when his own life be near the brink of death. To lose him before his time is something I could not bear, nor could the rest of Middle Earth."

The twins looked worried somewhat by his words, but he shook his head. " I shall trust you, my brothers," he finally conceded, " but to forgive should he be lost by this attempt, I know not if I can do." With that he walked past them and left the room. Glorfindel nodded to them before going after him, shutting the door behind them.

They saw the twins standing outside in the hall, both looking on with fear and apprehension. They knew not if their father would survive this night and the thought that they would lose the one true parent they had ever known was enough to leave both on the brink of emotional turmoil. It was too much for two who were barely out of their majority to accept. Their father was their pillar, their constant guide.

" Do you know what is it that they attempt?" Amúntel asked. " Do you believe they will bring more harm than good?"

" We cannot know," Aragorn answered. " But know that they will not allow your father to leave this land without a fight. It is not yet his time." The twins nodded. The King then sighed. " I shall go find Arwen and Gimli, for it is with no doubt that his temper has been raised along with his worry."

" Do not worry, I shall remain here," Glorfindel assured him. " I shall send for you should anything happen. You should rest, this day has taken much out of everyone." The dark-haired adan nodded before going down the hall and out into the main healing chamber. The twins let out a unified sigh before Amúntel rubbed his eyes in fatigued.

" You should find Ithinor, gwan-neth," Andúnel told his counterpart. " I know that he would wish to know, seeing as he has been a friend to our father for so long. Perhaps 'tis time to send a message to Ata'da."

" Only if you wish for him to come and slay the twins," Glorfindel told them. " Ever has Thranduil been protective of his family. He once challenged me to a duel in order to soothe a young Legolas' 'liking' for me."

" What?" Amúntel eyes widened, as did his brother's. " That is not what our Father told us happened. He said that he got over it when you turned him down!"

" Oh, he was so young, his attention changed to another a short time later," he told them, " but only after he went to your grandfather for solace. And as such, Thranduil called me to duel to help his son to recover. It ended as a draw, but Legolas was quite ecstatic to know his father would go so far to see him happy and decided that he didn't need another Edhel when he had his ada."

" That is why Lagorwest and Goldhînen say he is Ata'da's favorite," Andúnel surmised.

Glorfindel nodded, knowing his small anecdote had eased their fears in some little way, though they were still present. They would be until they knew that their father was in no danger of passing into the Halls of Waiting. Unfortunately, Glorfindel could not give them such an assurance. Yes, he believed that Elladan and Elrohir meant well and hoped to change things, but he feared it was too late, like it had been with Celebrian, only with far worse consequences.

Amúntel seemed the more upset of the two, but that could be due to the fact that he showed his emotions more openly than his elder twin. He also was quicker to raise his temper should something bring about his ire. Andúnel was more composed, but the tears he shed showed that he was no less distraught. The twins were seeking comfort from one another, leaning upon each other as they had always done, but it was strange that it did not seem enough. At the moment they were both looking as if they wanted to stay, watch over their father, but in too much distress to remain.

" I believe that you both should go and eat," Glorfindel advised. " You've had nothing since early morning and it is now late at night. Your father would not want you to neglect yourselves."

" But…" Neither twin wished to leave their adar.

" I shall remain here," Glorfindel reminded them. " You both shall be of no use to him if you're too stressed and tired to think and behave rationally."

" Aye," Andúnel sighed, knowing the golden blonde-haired Edhel was correct. " We should at least get something to eat." Amúntel gave a small nod in agreement, still somewhat reluctant. " You should get a bath Amun," the elder told his twin. " You smell of stale hay from rolling around with that cad, Gregor. And you hand is still bloodied."

" I was not harmed," Amúntel assured him.

" I did not say it was your blood," Andúnel pointed out. " Come, the faster we do this, the faster we shall return to Adar's side."

They slowly turned and headed down the hall, ready to refresh themselves. Maybe it would allow them to calm down and renew their hope so that their father would be all right. The twins had a deep bond with their father and should anything happened both would know of it exactly when it occurred. As of now, all they felt was an empty pain that left both feeling fatigued. They wondered if this was how their father felt all these years as he battled with his Grief.

Just as they were about to go out the door, Andúnel stopped and turned back to Glorfindel. " You should not neglect yourself, either," he told him. " I shall bring you up a small platter."

" Hannon lle," Glorfindel gave him a grateful smile. The elder twin felt the fluttered in his chest at the recognition. He quickly followed after his brother, rather than allow the Balrog Slayer to see the reddening tinge of his cheeks.

Glorfindel watched them leave with a sorrowful heart. It was far too obvious what that their fates were too closely intertwined with that of their father. They would lose their way should he no longer be there and the Elven lord knew not how long it would take to help them recover, or if they could. I must not think this way, he scolded himself. Legolas is far too young to leave this world, even if he has children of his own. Elladan and Elrohir will do the right thing, they shall help him. He shall not fade. Mandos' Halls are far too cold and empty for one such as him.

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Translations:

Fëar- Spirit

Edhel / Edhil

Ellon/Ellyn- Male Elf (sing)/Male Elves (pl)

Gwathel- Sister

Gwan-neth- Younger twin

Ata'da- Grandfather

Ada/Adar- Dad, Daddy/Father

Hannon lle - Thank you

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JC: Slight cliffhanger. We'll get to Legolas and the twins NEXT chapter! Promise!

Kathrine: The lemon is coming for those on AFFNet.

JC: Okay, so drop us a review and tell us what you all think. See you all in two days.

Kathrine: Until then, faithful readers.